News

Points West Living Peace River welcomed Alberta’s Minister of Health when Sarah Hoffman arrived to highlight the expansion of Alberta Health Services’ Community Paramedic Program. The program provides care to people who need monitoring following hospitalization or need assistance dealing with chronic illness. One PWL Peace River resident who has benefitted from the program was pleased to meet with ‘her’ paramedic and the Minister when they visited on August 23.

Before the Community Paramedic Program

Anne Kuran, 98, has made PWL Peace River her home since 2013. Before her referral to the Community Paramedic Program this past spring, she had to make regular visits to the hospital for IV care. The only reliable way for her to keep her appointments was with her son John, who took time off work to get Anne to the hospital, inside to her appointment, and back home to PWL again.

Improved quality of life

“Now what happens is the paramedic comes in and does the IV,” says office administrator Bernadette Harris. “That has definitely improved the quality of life for Anne. It will be a huge difference in the winter too, because at 98-years, she gets so cold when she has to go outside.”

Better to stay home

Paramedic Tyne Lunn (back right in above photo) comes to PWL Peace River to care for a few other residents as well. “She’s very dynamic and so good with the folks. We all like her,” says Bernadette. “If someone has a fall or something and we’re not too sure if they should go to the hospital, Tyne comes in and she determines if they need to go to hospital or not. If you don’t have to send someone to hospital in an ambulance and they can stay home, it’s better.”

Minister's visit

General Manager David Haastrup hosted Minister Hoffman for the visit. “In addition to the Community Paramedic interaction, Minister Hoffman had the opportunity to meet with residents, who were listening to a live music group. She took some time out to talk to employee care partners too. She commented on how beautiful our community is.”

“She also insisted on taking pictures with Melody Managtag (HCA), the person who created a big welcome sign for the visit,” says David. “She said we were the only community who put up a sign welcoming her. We also gave her flowers.”